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Continued From Page 22 PARP inhibitors for patients with an inherited BRCA mutation and advanced breast cancer . However , improved survival in breast cancer is not only due to better therapies . Early detection remains key , and we advise all women to undergo screening mammography according to current guidelines .
RWJBarnabas Health , Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey By Alexandre Buckley de Meritens , M . D ., Gynecologic Oncologist
The most common gynecologic cancer is endometrial cancer , also known as uterine cancer . Most uterine cancers ( ~ 70 percent ) are diagnosed at an early stage and are curable . Women are usually diagnosed after menopause and the most common symptom is vaginal spotting / bleeding . Any amount of bleeding after menopause should be investigated by your doctor . Obesity is strongly associated with endometrial cancer . A healthy lifestyle with exercise and a balanced diet can prevent endometrial cancer . Other risk factors include diabetes , polycystic ovarian syndrome , use of estrogen and family history . Those with a strong family history of breast , ovarian or colon cancer , should discuss their risk for cancer with their primary care physician . Some genetic mutations can predispose women to uterine or ovarian cancer , but preventive measures can be taken such as surgery , hormonal therapy or colonoscopy . Other gynecologic cancers include ovarian , cervical , vulvar and vaginal cancer . The HPV vaccine and regular Pap smears can help prevent some of these cancers . At Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , we use genetic testing ( HER2 , PD-L1 ) to dictate targeted therapy and immunotherapy for high grade endometrial cancers . Rutgers Cancer Institute in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health are committed to providing prevention and state-of-the- art treatments such as surgery , chemotherapy and clinical trials .
Saint Peter ’ s University Hospital By Dusan Perisic , M . D ., FACOG , Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
Ovarian cancer , the second most common gynecologic malignancy after endometrial cancer , is the most common cause of gynecologic cancer death in the United States because it is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage . One of the most recent advances in treating ovarian cancer is an individualized , yet multidisciplinary approach guided by imaging results , tumor markers , clinical factors , performance status of the patient and surgical findings . The standard treatment for these cancers has traditionally been primary surgery followed by chemotherapy . However , recent data suggests that outcomes are equivalent and even improved when certain advanced ovarian cancer patients receive chemotherapy first . Some younger , healthier patients with low-volume disease tend to benefit from primary surgery first , followed by chemotherapy , while older women with comorbid conditions and large volume disease benefit from chemotherapy first , followed by surgery . Another exciting development is a new class of drugs called PARP inhibitors that interfere with tumor cells to repair their DNA and subsequently lead to tumor cell death . Adding PARP inhibitors to treatment protocols for advanced ovarian cancers may become the new standard of care .
St . Joseph ’ s Health , St . Joseph ’ s Wayne Medical Center By Stephan J . Dorkhom , D . O ., Chief of Medicine , Hematology / Oncology
For the best cancer outcomes , early detection is key . Many are aware that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women , yet the majority of cases can be treated and ultimately cured if detected early . This includes not only
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